Agartala, Jan. 13: Tension is simmering in the arcadian Jampui Hills in north Tripura bordering Mizoram following the desecration of a Hindu temple and an image of a deity. Official sources in Kanchanpur subdivisional town, the headquarters of the Jampui Hills, said a group of Mizo youths from neighbouring Mizoram went to Bethlingsiv hilltop and desecrated an image of Lord Shiva nearly a month back. They also allegedly built a church-like structure next to the temple housing the image. Hindu tribals and non-tribals of the area are up in arms over the desecration of the stone image of Lord...

Imphal, January 13: With the Centre agreeing to provide adequate security, work at the Loktak Downstream is poised to kick off soon. The Loktak Downstream has been stalled for the last couple of years over payment of land compensation and security cover. Disclosing this, a source from the State Power Department said that the Centre gave the assurance to provide adequate security cover during a meeting held at New Delhi in December last year. The meeting presided by the Secretary (Power) Government of India, RV Shahi was attended by AK Jain, Additional Power Secretary, Anil Razdan, Joint...

SHILLONG, Jan 13— The Khasi Jaintia Church Leaders’ Forum (KJCLF) has urged the Government and the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to hold unconditional talks in order to arrive at a lasting solution to the vexed problem of insurgency in the State.

The church leaders expressed concern over the prevailing law-and-order situation in the capital city which has witnessed violent deaths of youths in recent times.

Addressing a meeting of the Forum her on Friday the KJCLF president Bishop Purely Lyngdoh stressed the fact that militancy could be solved only through...

GUWAHATI, Jan 13 — The State Government will not compromise on the territorial integrity of the State in view of the demand for a greater Nagaland by the NSCN(I-M). Addressing the inaugural function of the 6th Brahmaputra Beach Festival here this afternoon, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in presence of the Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani said, “we will oppose integration of all Naga inhabitated areas as demanded by the NSCN(I-M) leaders as it will create more problem for the State. We will not compromise on our territorial integrity.” He, however, hailed the peace process with the NSCN(I-M)...

GUWAHATI, Jan 13 — The 6th Brahmaputra Beach Festival, being held at the Andheridhuli Beach here, got off to a rousing start this afternoon with Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani inaugurating the festivities in the presence the Governor, Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Union Minister of State for Water Resources Bijoya Chakraborty. The inauguration ceremony was marked by a colourful dance programme where dancers from all over the North East presented their traditional items. Several other cultural troupes also performed. Speaking on the occasion, Advani said that he was...